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Pamphlet, Entrusted Deposit Series, 10.5-Point Type
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His habitations on earth, however, are but the anticipations of His perfected house in the eternal state--- of that temple which is even now silently growing, as stone after stone is laid in their appointed place upon the living Foundation, and which, when completed, will, after the close of all earthly dispensations, become His tabernacle throughout eternity.
Excerpt: Introduction
When Zerubbabel returned to Jerusalem from the Babylonian captivity, it was to restore the House of God (Ezra 1:1; 3:1). The scene that greeted him upon arrival was that of ruin; not even the foundation of the temple remained intact (Ezra 3:10). Nehemiah, upon his return to that city some 90 years later, was likewise confronted with ruin. On the third night, after arriving, Nehemiah took a few men with him to survey the condition of the city walls. One can picture their attempt to circumnavigate Jerusalem by the light of the night sky. In their path massive stones lay where they had fallen 130 or so years earlier. Nehemiah rode upon a beast, perhaps a donkey or ass, while others walked beside him (Neh. 2:12). Maybe some carried lanterns, but regardless, whatever light there was, it served to highlight the ruined condition of that great city. Jerusalem—Mount Moriah where Abraham offered up Isaac (2 Chron. 3:1); a site chosen above all others (Psa. 78:68-69); the place where Jehovah God had set His name (Deut. 12:5); the location of Solomon’s glorious temple (1 Kings 8:29)—a city so rich in history and divine significance, now lay in ruins. We do not wonder that Nehemiah wept at the report of it (Neh. 1:3-4).
The scene which greeted the returning exiles is one which we can easily picture. And yet, if one were to say that this was an apt depiction of the present condition of the church, as to her outward testimony, how would we respond? Ever since the truth of the ruin was presented from the Word of God some 175 years ago, it has almost universally been rejected. Indeed, the characteristic attitude of this present day is represented by Laodicea in the book of Revelation: “I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing” (Rev. 3:17). God, nevertheless, is faithful in His depiction of our true condition: “Knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked” (Rev. 3:17).
In this short pamphlet it is my desire to examine the ruin of the Christian testimony in the light of Scripture, both as to the truth of it and as to our conduct relative to it. I wish the focus to be narrow: the Scriptural evidence for the ruin; its nature and persistence until God’s coming in judgment; our walk in obedience to the Word of God, separate from evil, and in fellowship with other exercised individuals according to the power and unity of the Holy Spirit. It is not my intent to take up the practical details of assembly truth; this is covered admirably by others elsewhere.